Ms. Roxanne Siual Blesam, Compliance Specialist of the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB), represented Palau in these meetings. In April 2006, the Honorable Minister Temmy L. Shmull nominated the EQPB to be the Operational Focal Point for the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) as the goals within SAICM are in line with the work required by the EQPB.
The development of SAICM resulted from a three year consultation originally called for by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and endorsed by Heads of State and Government at the summits in Johannesburg in 2002 and New York in 2005. The development of the SAICM process was overseen by a Preparatory Committee which engaged over 100 Governments as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Representatives were drawn from all relevant sectors, including agriculture, environment, health, industry and labor. SAICM is distinguished by its comprehensive scope as it addresses all chemicals, including the chemicals not addressed in the Stockholm Convention or Montreal Protocol, and addresses the sound management of chemicals throughout their life cycle. SAICM is also multi-stakeholder and multi-sectoral forum that puts emphasis on chemical safety and capacity building with the aim of attaining the goals of sustainable development by year 2020. SAICM was formally adopted at the first session of the ICCM which was held in Dubai in February, 2006. ICCM is confirmed to hold its second session, ICCM-2, from May 11-15, 2009 in Geneva, Switzerland to review the progress in SAICM’s implementation. In July 2008, the EQPB submitted a proposal to the Quick Start Program of SAICM for funding resources to further its work on strategic chemical management in Palau. So far the EQPB has received $250,000.00 from SAICM to pursue its work on “Establishing an Institutional framework and strengthening national capacity for the sound management and implementation of the Strategic Approach in the Republic of Palau”. According to Ms. Blesam, “The SAICM project will be launched soon and EQPB will be needing good cooperation from all relevant stakeholders so that in the end the people of Palau will benefit from the program.”
